1563day.year
The final session of the Council of Trent is held nearly 18 years after the body held its first session on December 13, 1545.
On December 4, 1563, the Council of Trent concluded its final session, shaping the Counter-Reformation's direction.
After convening intermittently since 1545 under popes Paul III, Julius III, and Pius IV, the Council of Trent held its last sitting on December 4, 1563. The council had defined key Catholic doctrines, issued reforms on clerical discipline, and addressed abuses within the Church. Its decrees formed the backbone of the Counter-Reformation, countering Protestant theology and renewing Catholic spiritual life. The council's decisions influenced liturgy, education of clergy, and the establishment of seminaries. Its legacy endured through the Council's canons and the strengthening of papal authority in the following centuries.
1563
Council of Trent
1619day.year
Thirty-eight colonists arrive at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia. The group's charter proclaims that the day "be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."
In 1619, a group of colonists landed at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia, designating December 4th as an annual day of thanksgiving.
On December 4, 1619, thirty-eight English settlers aboard the Margaret arrived at Berkeley Hundred along the James River. Their Virginia Company charter specified that the anniversary of their landing be observed 'yearly and perpetually' as a day of giving thanks to God. This date is often cited as one of the earliest recorded Thanksgiving observances in what became the United States. Though the holiday evolved over centuries, the Berkeley Hundred proclamation laid early groundwork for American traditions of communal gratitude and celebration.
1619
colonists
Berkeley Hundred
Virginia
1786day.year
Mission Santa Barbara is dedicated (on the feast day of Saint Barbara).
Mission Santa Barbara, the tenth Spanish mission in California, is dedicated on the feast day of Saint Barbara in 1786.
On December 4, 1786, the Spanish colonial authorities dedicated Mission Santa Barbara to Saint Barbara. As the tenth mission in Alta California, it became a focal point for religious conversion and agricultural development. The mission complex features distinct Spanish Colonial architecture, including its iconic twin bell towers. Its establishment significantly impacted the local Chumash tribe, integrating them into the mission system. Over the centuries, the mission faced secularization and restoration, yet it remains one of California's most visited historical landmarks.
1786
Mission Santa Barbara
Saint Barbara
1791day.year
The first edition of The Observer, the world's first Sunday newspaper, is published.
The Observer, considered the world's first Sunday newspaper, publishes its inaugural edition in London.
On December 4, 1791, The Observer launched in London as the first newspaper published specifically on a Sunday. Founded by W.S. Bourne, it aimed to provide in-depth political commentary and international news to weekend readers. The Observer introduced a new rhythm to journalism, delivering news and opinions at a time when most newspapers did not circulate on Sundays. Its success paved the way for other weekend publications and influenced the broader news industry. Over two centuries later, The Observer remains one of Britain's leading Sunday newspapers, with a reputation for investigative journalism and cultural coverage.
1791
The Observer
1829day.year
In the face of fierce local opposition, British Governor-General Lord William Bentinck issues a regulation declaring that anyone who abets sati in Bengal is guilty of culpable homicide.
British Governor-General Lord William Bentinck issues a regulation banning the practice of sati in Bengal, classifying it as culpable homicide.
On December 4, 1829, Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of British India, enacted a regulation declaring that anyone who assisted or abetted the ritual of sati in Bengal would be guilty of culpable homicide. Sati, the immolation of a widow on her husband's funeral pyre, had faced mounting criticism from reformers and missionaries. Bentinck's decision followed reports of coercion and violence against widows, and it affirmed the colonial government's authority to intervene in social customs. The regulation sparked fierce debate among Indian elites and British officials, balancing respect for tradition against humanitarian concerns. Ultimately, the ban on sati became a milestone in the broader movement for social reform in India and influenced future legislation on women's rights.
1829
Governor-General
Lord William Bentinck
sati
Bengal
culpable homicide
1865day.year
North Carolina ratifies 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, followed two days later by Georgia, and U.S. slaves were legally free within two weeks.
North Carolina ratifies the 13th Amendment, formally abolishing slavery in the United States.
On December 4, 1865, North Carolina became the first former Confederate state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery. Two days later, Georgia followed suit, ensuring the amendment’s adoption before the end of 1865. With these ratifications, millions of enslaved African Americans were legally freed across the United States. The amendment marked a pivotal achievement of the Reconstruction era. Although emancipation began with the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment provided a permanent constitutional guarantee against slavery. Its passage reshaped American society and laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights movements.
1865
North Carolina
13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Georgia
U.S. slaves
1867day.year
Former Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry (better known today as the Grange).
Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry, known as the Grange, to support American farmers.
On December 4, 1867, Oliver Hudson Kelley, a former farmer and postal agent, established the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry in Washington, D.C. Better known as the Grange, the organization aimed to unite farmers across the United States to address economic hardships and social isolation. The Grange advocated for cooperative purchasing, agricultural education, and fair railroad rates. Its grassroots approach empowered rural communities to lobby for legislative reforms at state and national levels. By the early 1870s, the Grange had become one of America’s largest social and political movements, shaping agricultural policy and cooperative business models for decades to come.
1867
Minnesota
Oliver Hudson Kelley
the Grange
1881day.year
The first edition of the Los Angeles Times is published.
The Los Angeles Times, which would grow into one of America’s leading newspapers, released its first issue on this day.
Founded by Nathan Cole Jr. and Thomas Gardiner, the Los Angeles Daily Times debuted on December 4, 1881.
The inaugural issue was printed in a small office with a modest run and cost five cents.
Early coverage focused on local news, real estate developments, and social events in a booming Southern California.
Under the stewardship of the Chandler family from 1882 onward, the paper expanded its reach and influence.
Today, the Los Angeles Times is recognized for its investigative journalism and broad national and international reporting.
1881
Los Angeles Times
1906day.year
Alpha Phi Alpha the first intercollegiate Greek lettered fraternity for African-Americans was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African-Americans, was established at Cornell University.
On December 4, 1906, seven African-American students at Cornell University founded Alpha Phi Alpha.
Their aim was to create a support network for black scholars facing segregation and prejudice.
The fraternity emphasized scholarship, leadership, and the uplift of the African-American community.
Over the years, Alpha Phi Alpha members have included prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall.
Today, the organization maintains chapters worldwide, continuing its legacy of advocacy and service.
1906
Alpha Phi Alpha
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
1928day.year
Cosmo Gordon Lang was enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the first bachelor to be appointed in 150 years.
On December 4, 1928, Cosmo Gordon Lang became the first bachelor appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury in 150 years.
Cosmo Gordon Lang had previously served as Bishop of Stepney and Archbishop of York before his installation as the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury on December 4, 1928. His enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral marked a significant break with tradition, as he was the first unmarried occupant of the office in a century and a half. Known for his intellect and oratory skills, Lang guided the Church of England through the social and political challenges of the interwar period. He championed church unity, engaged in debates on education and welfare, and sought to strengthen the church’s role in British society. His leadership style combined scholarly depth with pastoral sensitivity, earning him respect across different social groups. Lang’s tenure would later influence the church’s response to emerging modern issues.
1928
Cosmo Gordon Lang
Archbishop of Canterbury
1964day.year
Free Speech Movement: Police arrest over 800 students at the University of California, Berkeley, following their takeover and sit-in at the administration building in protest of the UC Regents' decision to forbid protests on UC property.
Police arrested over 800 students during the Free Speech Movement sit-in at UC Berkeley's administration building on December 4, 1964.
On December 4, 1964, more than 2,000 students gathered at the University of California, Berkeley to protest a ban on political activities on campus property. Following a prolonged sit-in at Sproul Hall, campus police carried out one of the largest mass arrests in US history, detaining over 800 students. The crackdown intensified national attention on the Free Speech Movement and highlighted tensions between student activism and university authorities. Under growing pressure, the UC Regents soon revised their policy, granting students the right to engage in political speech. The movement became a landmark event in the 1960s era of protest and set a precedent for campus activism nationwide.
1964
Free Speech Movement
University of California, Berkeley
UC Regents
2006day.year
Six black youths assault a white teenager in Jena, Louisiana.
In Jena, Louisiana, six black youths attacked a white teenager, prompting national debate over racial tensions and justice. The incident shone a spotlight on local racial dynamics and legal proceedings.
On December 4, 2006, a group of six black teenagers assaulted a white teenager in Jena, Louisiana, in an altercation that reflected underlying racial tensions in the community. The victim sustained serious injuries, prompting swift arrests and charges. The case quickly garnered national attention as civil rights organizations and media questioned whether race influenced the severity of the charges and sentencing. Protests and advocacy events followed, calling for fair treatment under the law. The incident became a flashpoint in discussions about racial disparity in the criminal justice system in the United States. Legal scholars and activists cited the case in broader debates over equal protection and community relations. The Jena Six case would later lead to widespread demonstrations and calls for reform in Louisiana and beyond.
2006
Six black youths
Jena, Louisiana